Keywords
LGBTQIA
restaurant
sexual orientation
workplace challenges
How to Cite
Abstract
Challenges in the workplace can take many different forms, but it generally involves unfair treatment based on characteristics such as gender, gender identity, or sexual orientation. This study is an attempt to gain a thorough understanding of the discrimination experienced by employees at quick-service restaurants, guided by the Gender Spectrum Theory which refers to the idea that gender is a spectrum not limited to male or female, and that gender is externally communicated through behavior, clothing, haircut, voice and other forms of presentation. This study, which utilized a convergent mixed-method design, aimed to determine the top workplace challenges faced by employees in quick-service restaurants, explain discrimination based on those stated challenges, identify emerging themes, and, lastly, propose an action plan based on the results and findings. Respondents of the study included five (5) currently employed crew members from a quick-service restaurant in Calamba City. Findings revealed that lack of empowerment and career dissatisfaction were the top workplace challenges that the participants encountered. When asked to define gender discrimination, they indicated that it involves the right to express one's gender or the kind of person one is. The most prevalent difficulties they encountered had to do with their physical appearance. The themes that emerged are divided into the major themes of gender discrimination, gender equality, workplace discrimination, workplace challenges, and workplace policies. The findings emphasize the importance of integrating and implementing legal legislations like the Magna Carta for Women and the Safe Spaces Act to ensure equal opportunities for people of diverse SOGIESC.
References
Ahmed, A., & Hammarstedt, M. (2021). Customer and worker discrimination against gay and lesbian business owners: A web-based experiment among students in Sweden. Journal of Homosexuality, 69(9), 1621–1630. https://doi.org/10.1080/00918369.2021.1919478
Ali, F. (2014). Challenges facing female employees in quick service restaurants: Egypt as a case study. Journal of Association of Arab Universities for Tourism and Hospitality, 11(3), 59–74. https://doi.org/10.21608/jaauth.2014.57689
Burrell, D. N., Morin, S. M., Wansi, T., Mathis, V. B., Ninassi, C., & Ninassi, S. (2024). Challenges of corporate misconduct: the organisational, social, economic and financial dynamics of workplace sexual harassment in the restaurant industry in the USA. SocioEconomic Challenges, 8(4), 205–221. https://doi.org/10.61093/sec.8(4).205-221.2024
Casal, C. (2018, November 14). Survey finds that Filipino companies are not accepting of LGBTQ+. CNN Philippines. https://www.cnnphilippines.com/life/culture/2018/11/14/Filipino-companies-not-accepting-LGBTQ.html
Creswell, J. W. (2022). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches (2nd ed.). SAGE. https://www.ucg.ac.me/skladiste/blog_609332/objava_105202/fajlovi/Creswell.pdf
Gazzoli, G., Hancer, M., & Park, Y. (2012). Employee empowerment and customer orientation: Effects on workers' attitudes in restaurant organizations. International Journal of Hospitality & Tourism Administration, 13(1), 1–25. https://doi.org/10.1080/15256480.2012.640180
Hudson, S. T., Myer, A., & Berney, E. C. (2023). Stereotyping, prejudice, and discrimination at the intersection of race and gender: An intersectional theory primer. Social and Personality Psychology Compass. https://doi.org/10.31219/osf.io/swt94
International Labour Office, & Bureau for Gender Equality. (2006). Gender equality and decent work. International Labour Organization. https://webapps.ilo.org/public/libdoc/ilo/2006/106B09_290_engl.pdf
International Labour Organization. (2012). Discrimination at work on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity: Results of the ILO's PRIDE Project. International Labour Organization.
Lao, F., & Borbon, N. D. (2021). Motivation and commitment among casual dining restaurant employees in Batangas. Asia Pacific Journal of Management and Sustainable Development, 9(2), 41–52. https://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.14001.04961
Lee, A., Willis, S., & Tan, W. (2018, March 2). When empowering employees works, and when it doesn’t. Harvard Business Review. https://hbr.org/2018/03/when-empowering-employees-works-and-when-it-doesnt
Maji, S., Yadav, N., & Gupta, P. (2023). LGBTQ+ in workplace: A systematic review and reconsideration. Equality, Diversity and Inclusion: An International Journal, 43(2), 313–360. https://doi.org/10.1108/edi-02-2022-0049
Mane, A. (2023). Understanding the experiences of and challenges faced by LGBT+ employees at workplaces in India: Embracing diversity and inclusion. Recent Trends in Arts and Social Studies, 8, 146–159. https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/rtass/v8/7442a
National Public Radio. (2017). Discrimination in America: Experiences and Views of LGBTQ Americans. Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. https://content.sph.harvard.edu/wwwhsph/sites/94/2017/11/NPR-RWJF-HSPH-Discrimination-LGBTQ-Final-Report.pdf
Oducado, R. M. (2023). Knowledge and attitude towards lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender healthcare concerns: A cross-sectional survey among undergraduate nursing students in a Philippine State University. Belitung Nursing Journal, 9(5), 498–504. https://doi.org/10.33546/bnj.2887
PCW-DILG-DBM-NEDA joint memorandum circular 2024-01: Revised guidelines on the localization of the Magna Carta of women. (2024). Philippine Commission on Women. https://pcw.gov.ph/pcw-dilg-dbm-neda-joint-memorandum-circular-2024-01-revised-guidelines-on-the-localization-of-the-magna-carta-of-women/
Republic Act 9710 or the Magna Carta of women. (2023, September 28). Philippine Commission on Women. https://pcw.gov.ph/faq-republic-act-9710-the-magna-carta-of-women/
Republic Act No. 11313: Safe spaces act (Bawal bastos law). (2023, January 20). Philippine Commission on Women. https://pcw.gov.ph/faq-republic-act-no-11313/
Sachdeva, U. (2024). LGBTQIA+ individuals face significant employment disparities due to discrimination, limited job opportunities, and lack of inclusive policies. To address this, we must create innovative solutions for equal access to employment, supportive workplaces, and career success. International Journal for Multidisciplinary Research, 6(5). https://doi.org/10.36948/ijfmr.2024.v06i05.28106
Sears, B., Mallory, C., Flores, A. R., & Conron, K. J. (2021). LGBT people's experiences of workplace discrimination and harassment. William Institute. https://www.sjsu.edu/ccll/docs/Workplace-Discrimination-Sep-2021.pdf
SelectOne. (2019). How to avoid gender discrimination in the workplace. https://www.selectonellc.com/blog/how-to-avoid-gender-discrimination-in-the-workplace
Solomon, A. (2014). Identity or behavior: A moral and medical basis for LGBTQ rights. Hastings Center Report, 44(5), S4–S5. https://doi.org/10.1002/hast.362
Tabassum, N., & Nayak, B. S. (2021). Gender stereotypes and their impact on women’s career progressions from a managerial perspective. IIM Kozhikode Society & Management Review, 10(2), 192–208. https://doi.org/10.1177/2277975220975513
Tharp, A. N. (2016). Gender Spectrum Theory [Unpublished doctoral dissertation]. University of New Haven. https://www.newhaven.edu/_resources/documents/academics/surf/past-projects/2015/angela-tharp-paper.pdf
Tshisa, N., & Van der Walt, F. (2021). Discrimination challenges and psychological well-being of Black African queer employees. SA Journal of Industrial Psychology, 47, Article a1835. https://doi.org/10.4102/sajip.v47i0.1835
United Nations. (2014). Gender stereotype. UN Office of High Commissioner of Human Rights. https://www.ohchr.org/en/women/gender-stereotyping
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Copyright (c) 2025 Southeast Asian Journal of Agriculture and Allied Sciences